Twenty-two Saints have recommitted to the red, white and black for AFLW Season 7, with the club’s young core remaining intact for the next two campaigns.

Emerging leader Nicola Xenos, top-tier draftees Ella Friend, Ash Richards and Alice Burke, midfielders Olivia Vesely, Tyanna Smith and Molly McDonald and forwards Caitlin Greiser and Darcy Guttridge have all signed for Seasons 7 and 8, keeping them in Saints colours until at least the end of 2023.

Reigning Best & Fairest Bianca Jakobsson and previous winners Rosie Dillon and Greiser have inked fresh two-year deals alongside McDonald, Guttridge and Rebecca Ott, while captain Hannah Priest has extended her contract by another season.

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Experienced duo Kate Shierlaw and Nat Exon have also penned one-year contracts in tandem with Lucy Burke, Jess Matin and Renee Saulitis.

Tarni White, Jayde Van Dyk and Leah Cutting will also remain at RSEA Park for Season 7, which will mark the first season as a full 18-team competition. 

The club has also retained All-Australian Georgia Patrikios for Seasons 7 and 8, however her availability and contract terms are contingent upon changes to current AFL mandates. This situation will be closely monitored as the situation progresses. 

Stevens joins the Saints

The latest batch of re-signings follows the acquisitions of All-Australians Nicola Stevens and Erin McKinnon and Irish talents Grace Kelly and Clara Fitzpatrick from the AFLW Sign & Trade Period.

“We’re immensely proud to see so many players recommit for the upcoming season, headlined by our emerging young core,” Head of AFLW Tessie McManus said.

A vast majority of this group have signed on for this season and the next, which is pleasing on many fronts. It’s a reflection of the confidence we have in them and the belief they each have in what we’re building towards as a club.

- Head of AFLW Tessie McManus

“The experience around them through leaders Hannah Priest, Kate Shierlaw and Bianca Jakobsson will further drive us forward, giving us every opportunity to grow as a team.

“While we did see several players leave us through expansion or other means this Sign & Trade Period, we believe the talent we have brought into the club has greatly bolstered our list.

“The experience of established players Nicola Stevens, Erin McKinnon and Grace Kelly, plus the return of Clara Fitzpatrick, will add stability around our developing list and help greatly in our pursuit of sustained success.

“Our list for Season 7 will be completed following this year’s draft, which we believe will further enhance our promising crop of young talent.

“We’re incredibly excited for the season ahead under coach Nick Dal Santo and his team and will remain relentless in our goal to continually improve and achieve success.”

 St Kilda will carry picks No. 16, 66 and 84 (Victorian selections No. 7, 36 and 44 respectively) into the upcoming NAB AFL Women’s Draft, which will be held on Wednesday 29 June.

Signed for AFLW Season 7

  • Alice Burke
  • Lucy Burke
  • Leah Cutting
  • Rosie Dillon
  • Nat Exon
  • Ella Friend
  • Caitlin Greiser
  • Darcy Guttridge
  • Bianca Jakobsson
  • Jess Matin
  • Molly McDonald
  • Rebecca Ott
  • Georgia Patrikios
  • Hannah Priest
  • Ash Richards
  • Renee Saulitis
  • Kate Shierlaw
  • Tyanna Smith
  • Jayde Van Dyk
  • Olivia Vesely
  • Tarni White
  • Nicola Xenos

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